Assessment and Application of Oncology Massage

Date: May 5, 2019
Time: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Michael Alicia, LMT

Lecture/Hands-on
Prerequisite: Introduction to Oncology Massage (or Equivalent)
8 CEs (NCBTMB/NY Certified)
Contact vanessa@catanyc.com to Register
Single Class Tuition: $320

This course is designed as a focused practicum to help students assimilate and apply the material from the foundational courses in the oncology massage program: Introduction to Oncology Massage, Safe Massage for Oncology Patients with Lymphedema and Pharmacological Considerations for Oncology Massage. Alternate bolstering and draping will be practiced in depth. Hands-on time will also include practice of modifying standard massage techniques and
pressure required for safe yet effective massage for the oncology population. Case studies presented will hone students’ critical thinking skills, especially as related to formulation of treatment plans, adaptations to intake protocols, and communication with the client’s medical team.

At the end of this course students will be able to:

 Explore cautions and contraindications based on client’s medical history, cancer type, and medications

 Discuss what complaints may present based on disease, medications and standard chemo treatment options

 Demonstrate understanding of information vital to oncology population intake

 Delineate necessary questions to consider for intake form(s)

 Demonstrate understanding of use of standard oncological medical devices and prosthetics

 Demonstrate appropriate use of alternate positioning as needed to safely provide full-body massage for clients
with medical device attachments

 Demonstrate how to safely and appropriately work with clients with medical devices in seated position

 Demonstrate how to adapt standard bolstering for clients with special considerations including but not limited
to post-operative pain, lymphedema cautions, axillary web syndrome, etc.

 Show understanding of appropriate use of various touch pressures

 Verbalize for clients when and why it is necessary to modify intensity of pressure used during massage
treatment

 Demonstrate adaptations to common massage techniques to facilitate effective tissue change while following
necessary precautions

 Demonstrate knowledge of common side-effects from specific classes of chemotherapy agents

 Demonstrate knowledge of contraindications due to oncological medications and how to modify massage
session accordingly

 Strategize during intake to modify session plans due to client’s reported medication side-effects

 Understand when necessary to refer client to another practitioner, modality, or to contact client’s medical team

 Demonstrate appropriate use of PPE (personal protective equipment) – to glove or not to glove

 Discuss and effectively write massage session notes.

Michael Alicia, LMT is the Founder and Director of CATA, NYC. He has been a licensed massage therapist since 1992 with a thriving practice in Manhattan.  Referrals come from long-time satisfied clients, New York’s Broadway and Ballet communities, as well as doctors and chiropractors who prescribe massage for acute injury, chronic pain, stress reduction and performance enhancement. His therapeutic sessions are crafted with an eye toward resolving chronic problems using a variety of techniques, including various forms of massage like Swedish, deep tissue, medical massage, shiatsu and Thai massage, while also including rehabilitative exercises in the form of stretching and strengthening exercises.

Michael has been a teacher of Swedish massage, shiatsu and Thai massage at the venerable Swedish Institute since 1994. He is also a visiting faculty member at the Therapeutic Massage Training Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina.

He is the author of The Massage Therapist’s Handbook and The Stretching Process DVD and Workshop.